What Anime and Manga Fans Should Know About Cyprus Comic Con 2026

Cyprus Comic Con 2026 takes place at the Cyprus State Fair in Nicosia from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October. The useful distinction is that Friday is a free outdoor opening from 18:00. The ticketed indoor convention, including exhibitors and Artists’ Alley, runs on Saturday and Sunday.

For anime and manga readers, the strongest confirmed reasons to look closely are an Initial D-connected performance, a large cosplay programme, manga-influenced independent artists and specialist retailers. It is not yet possible to judge the entire programme: the final schedule and venue map remain unpublished, and the currently announced guests and exhibitors should not be treated as a complete line-up.

What last year felt like

I came away from Cyprus Comic Con 2025 with two strong impressions. It was busy and energetic, and Artists’ Alley was one of the parts that stayed with me. Looking through independent illustration and fan-made work made the convention feel less like a row of shops and more like a meeting point for people who care about the same stories.

That scale could also make parts of the day crowded and tiring. It is one reason I am looking forward to returning with a clearer plan: leave room for the community atmosphere and unexpected discoveries, but know which halls and stalls matter most before the day fills up.

My collecting watchlist for 2026

This year I am going in with a small, specific list. I will be looking for a good Jujutsu Kaisen collectible, fan-made Sakamoto Days illustrations, and tankobon volumes from manga I am currently reading, particularly Kagurabachi and Sakamoto Days. The under-the-radar search is for something from Gachiakuta.

That list is deliberately mixed between licensed collectibles, physical manga and independent art. It gives the current exhibitor and Artists’ Alley directories a practical purpose while leaving enough space for the object that was not on the list at all.

Dates, hours and ticket prices

Friday’s outdoor programme is due to include live music, wrestling and street food. On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, Early Access begins at 09:00, general admission opens at 10:00 and the indoor halls close at 21:00. Outdoor afterparties and other scheduled activities can continue until midnight.

Which ticket makes sense?

The official ticket shop currently lists:

• Single day, €15: Saturday or Sunday, 10:00-21:00.
• Weekend, €20: both Saturday and Sunday, 10:00-21:00.
• Early Access, €35: both days from 09:00.
• Early Access Bundle, €50: Early Access plus the official 2026 T-shirt.
• VIP, €100: Early Access, the T-shirt, a collectible lanyard and fabric wristband, and three Special Guest tokens.

General-admission tickets will also be sold at the entrance by cash or card. Children under five receive free general admission. The outdoor festival is free, but a valid wristband is required for the indoor halls. Re-entry is allowed while that wristband remains attached.

The clearest anime and manga connections so far

The most direct anime connection is Italian Eurobeat musician Dave Rodgers, whose music is closely associated with Initial D. Rodgers is confirmed to perform on Saturday 3 October and to have a meet-and-greet booth during the weekend. The performance time and signing arrangements remain unannounced.

Scottish actor Clive Russell supplies a live-action manga connection through Netflix’s One Piece, alongside better-known work in Game of Thrones and The Witcher. He is confirmed for Saturday and Sunday.

Cosplay guests Taryn and Leon Chiro have both worked with recognisable anime and game characters. Taryn is due to judge Saturday’s Mediterranean Cosplay Championship, while Leon Chiro is due to judge Sunday’s Masquerade. An announced guest should not be read as a promise that a particular costume will appear.

The Artists’ Alley directory is the more useful starting point for fan-made work. Its current entries include Kage Oni Arthouse, Arcanum Comics, LoudMouse Crew, aspiring mangaka Nyx and comics artist Ulises Fariñas. The organiser says artists may sell prints and merchandise or take commissioned sketches, but individual stock and commission availability can still change.

The current exhibitor directory names Manga District, OtakuStore.gr, LegenZ, Cypronite Comics, The 3D Factory, 3DMe Lab and several collectibles businesses. The Embassy of Japan in Cyprus is listed in Hall A, although its planned activity has not yet been described.

Cosplay is central, but the free ticket has conditions

Attendees in a clearly identifiable full costume qualify for free general admission; a mask, hat or small accessory alone is insufficient. A free cosplayer ticket can be reserved online, but costumes and props are still checked at entry.

The current prop rules prohibit sharp blades and require projectile props, including Nerf and water pistols, to be disabled and unloaded. Realistic weapon props should have an orange safety tip. Props must not be brandished, pointed or used for play-fighting.

Hall B’s Cosplay Village is confirmed to include changing space, a cloakroom, a repair station, photobooths and a dedicated stage. The Saturday championship is a solo, craftsmanship-led contest with a limited entry field. Sunday’s Masquerade accepts solo entrants and groups of up to three. Anyone planning to compete should check the separate registration rules and deadlines rather than relying on the admission ticket.

Plan for the venue and the journey

Hall A and Hall B are air-conditioned; Halls 5 and 6 and the outdoor areas are not. The organiser says around 30 air coolers will be placed around queues and seated activities, but October can still be warm. Water, breaks and a repair plan matter particularly for heavy costumes.

The State Fair is an older complex. CCC says the rooms and buildings are generally reachable by ramps, but it does not offer a dedicated disability pass or blanket free-carer policy. Visitors with specific access requirements are advised to contact the organiser before travelling.

CCC’s return buses cost €12 from Larnaca, €15 from Limassol, €18 from Paphos and €16 from Paralimni. Each bus ticket covers one day only, so a visitor attending both indoor days needs to book two journeys.

What is not yet confirmed

As of 22 July, the full schedule and final venue map have not been published. Panel times, screenings, most guest appearance times and Dave Rodgers’ performance time therefore remain unknown. Further guests may be announced, but no unannounced name should be treated as likely.

There is also a detail to recheck before buying a meet-and-greet token for one person. Russell’s announcement says a token will be required for an autograph or photo, while the current €20 token product lists Rich Keeble, Kirsty Rider and Maxence Cazorla. One token buys either one autograph or one selfie, not both, and does not include admission.

The case for anime and manga fans is already broader than one headline guest: two days of independent art, specialist retail, cosplay and adjacent Japanese popular culture are confirmed. The remaining question is how the final timetable will organise those parts, and that answer should determine the next update to this guide.